Sunday 27th of May, Leyton Orient played host to a charity match in aid of Prostate Cancer UK and Mental Health UK. Martin Ling’s London Legends would take on Errol McKellar’s Celebrity XI for the ‘Big Match, Big Cause’ event. This event would look to raise money and awareness for these two causes. 2,000 tickets were sold for this event which would be going to Prostate Cancer UK and Mental Health UK.

Prostate Cancer UK and Hertfordshire Mind Network were the two charities involved in the event with McKellar diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010 while Martin Ling has had depression on two occasions in 2013 and 2015. Martin Ling London Legends came out with a comeback to win 5-4 over McKellar’s Celebrity XI in front of a jubilant crowd.

The fans were treated to a goal fest at Brisbone Road, where Ling’s London legends opened the scoring on the 8th minute through former Orient forward Jamie Cureton. There was one bad note to report from the match and this was arguably DJ Spoony injury on the 21st minute. DJ Spoony stuffed an Achilles injury and needed to be stretched off.

McKellar’s Celebrity XI managed to level the game on the 28th minute, when ex-manager Omer Riza was able to beat two defenders and score past fan Barri Twinn Moments later it was 2-1 to the Celebrity XI, when Kenny Dyer’s cross found Riza and he again struck beyond Twinn. Things looked to be getting even worst for Martin Ling London Legends as they fell further behind actor Dean Holness extended their advantage in the 33rd minute with a low drive from the left, which made it 3-1 to the Celebrity Xl. Juicy before half time there was another goal for the Celebrity Xl, with Orient fan Daniel Lassman smashing it home and making it 4-1. This was turning into a riot for the Celebrity Xl, Martin Ling had it all to do in the second half.

There was a number of half time changes for both teams, but one notable change was for Martin Ling Legends was bringing on Scott McGleish the 44-year-old had four spells with the Leyton Orient. Scott McGleish was straight into the action and within two minutes was able to provide the assist for fellow Orient legend Kevin Lisbie who made it 4-2.

It was partnership which was successful once again in the 54th minute when Lisbie put McGleish in on goal and the striker drilled in to close the deficit to one this made it 4-3, the comeback was surely on for Martin Ling Legends, moments later Ling made a change bringing on former QPR defender Danny Shittu to make sure that his side were in a shot of coming back. On the 63rd minute it became 4-4 when McGleish’s cross was cleared out to centre back Danny Shittu the defender unleashed a fierce volley which flew into the top corner from inside the penalty area. This for me was the goal of the day what an unbelievable volley.

Premier league and AFC Bournemouth star Charlie Daniels, formerly of Orient, drove down the left wing and beat a couple of opponents before he played in McGleish who curled the ball home and won the game for Martin Ling London Legends 5-4.

Written by Mario Georgiou

Filmed and Edited By Anthony Anthimou of DinoGogo Productions & The Shutter Projects